Orion Kerkering is set to rejoin the Phillies bullpen as they open a three-game series against the Giants in San Francisco on Monday. The right-hander will be with the team to start the series but won’t officially be activated until Tuesday, according to The Athletic’s Matt Gelb.
Kerkering’s been sidelined since spring training after a hamstring injury cut short what was supposed to be his return from a forgettable postseason moment. The 25-year-old made just one appearance this spring – allowing two hits, an earned run, and striking out one in an inning of work – before the injury hit.
That postseason moment? Kerkering’s mental lapse in the NLDS against the Dodgers, when he threw home to J.T. Realmuto with two outs instead of going to first base for what should’ve been an easy third out.
But here’s the thing – one mistake doesn’t erase what Kerkering brings to this bullpen. He went 8-4 with a 3.30 ERA last season, adding four saves and 65 strikeouts across 60 innings. Those aren’t setup man numbers by accident.
The rust doesn’t seem to be an issue either. Kerkering posted a 2.25 ERA with five strikeouts in four innings during his rehab stint with Triple-A Lehigh Valley. That’s exactly what you want to see from a guy who’s been out since March.
Rob Thomson’s got some decent options in the back of his bullpen right now. Brad Keller has struggled with a 6.75 ERA, while Jhoan Duran has been solid as the closer with a 1.93 ERA and three saves already. Kerkering will likely slot into that seventh or eighth inning role once he’s back.
The Phillies will need to make a corresponding move, and it looks like Kyle Backhus or Zach Pop could be the odd men out. Backhus has posted a 9.00 ERA in three innings and has three minor league options remaining, which makes him the logical choice. Pop’s 4.50 ERA in four innings isn’t great either, but the options situation probably decides this one.
What makes this homecoming interesting is the timing. The Phillies haven’t won a series in San Francisco since 2013 – that’s more than a decade of frustration in the Bay Area. Getting Kerkering back gives them another reliable arm for what should be some competitive games against a Giants team that’s been better than expected.
From where I’m sitting, Kerkering’s return couldn’t come at a better time. The bullpen depth will be tested over the next few weeks, and having a guy who can get righties and lefties out in leverage spots makes Thomson’s job a lot easier.
